Manager Of Recreation

THE OPPORTUNITY

We have an exciting opportunity for a Manager of Recreation to join a growing municipality in central Alberta. Reporting to the General Manager of Community and Protective Services, the Manager of Recreation will oversee the planning, development, marketing, implementation, and evaluation of a range of Recreation services and programming, as well as the operation of aquatic, fitness, and recreation programming facilities. The ideal candidate will be passionate about recreation health and community well-being, is a strong leader, has excellent interpersonal skills, and is looking to take the next step in their career in a leadership position in Recreation.

THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1892, two years after work began on the C&E Railway (Calgary to Edmonton), Wetaskiwin became a Town in 1902 and a City in 1906, making it one of Alberta’s oldest cities. The City of Wetaskiwin is home to the Reynold's-Alberta Provincial Museum, Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, the Central Alberta Railway Museum and the world-famous 'Automile'. Located only 35 minutes from Edmonton and 25 minutes from the International Airport, Wetaskiwin is a city with a rich history that provides all the amenities of an urban-rural centre. With a population of 13,000 people, and average home prices of $250,000, the City of Wetaskiwin is a great place to live. The name Wetaskiwin means “the hills where peace was made” in Cree. A cultural hub located in Central Alberta, this City offers all the amenities of big-City life while maintaining the peaceful, connected atmosphere prevalent in smaller centres.

To learn more about the City of Wetaskiwin, visit their website at: www.wetaskiwin.ca

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Policy Development:

• Works alongside the Recreation Services management team to determine the direction and service levels for recreation services programming.
• Maintains and develops partnerships with internal and external agencies to offer effective recreation services that meet community needs and aligns with corporate and council strategic plans.
• Liaises with outside organizations, associations, agencies, and other key personnel in the recreation industry.
• Lead the management, development, reporting and evaluations of policies, strategic priorities and budgets.
• Works with the Recreation Services management team, other business units and outside agencies to develop appropriate and effective policies and procedures.

Facility Operations:

• Sets direction for the planning and development of policies and procedures specific to the recreation facilities such as the Manluk Centre and Co-op Place.
• Works with the business unit supervisors to ensure a high standard of facility cleanliness and effectiveness of preventative maintenance programs.
• Works with Administration and the Facilities Department to develop and align short, medium, and long-range facility and equipment strategies.
• Collect, analyze and reporting of KPIs and facility statistics, identifying opportunities, challenges and solutions. Convey complex statistical information to stakeholders in order to optimize recreation programming, services and facility operations.

Staff Management:

• Oversees and leads the recruitment, hiring, training, development and retention for all staff within the Recreation Department.
• Ensures consistent implementation of Human Resources, Occupational Health & Safety programs and City of Wetaskiwin policies and procedures including employee orientation, training, recognition, performance management and employee succession planning.
• Examines workload requirements and ensures appropriate resources are in order to deliver service at required level standards.
• Leads the development and ensures alignment of work and learning plans for areas of responsibility.
• Develops and implements employee recognition and team member appreciation initiatives to encourage a positive and supportive work environment.
• Supporting Health, Safety & Wellness best practices and initiatives and ensuring that staff are knowledgeable of risk management practices.
• Ensure high standards of Customer Service through both direct contact and ongoing staff training. Promote the importance of and ensure high quality customer services standards by all staff within all services areas.

Financial Management:

• Develops 3-year operational and 10-year capital budgets for the Recreation Department.
• Monitors operational budgets in areas of responsibility to ensure expenditures are compliant.
• Develops fees and charges for recreation programs and services in accordance with the fees and charges bylaw, community needs, and financial sustainability goals.
• Advises senior management with regards to longer-term budget requirements for recreation facilities, planning and services.

Occupational Health & Safety:

• Understanding and adhering to the policies, principles and practices of OH&S legislation, and the City's requirements, as these obligations pertain to this role.

Recreation Programming and Service Delivery:

• Assesses community needs, explores new opportunities, and researches program trends.
• Oversees the development, implementation, evaluation and marketing of a range of Recreation services and programs.
• Monitors, measures and reports on program issues, opportunities and development plans within agreed formats and timelines.
• Responds to and addresses customer concerns, service-delivery issues and ensures quality assurance goals are met.
• Leading and/or participating in a variety of corporate projects, committees or initiatives to enhance recreation programs and services.
• Acts as a liaison on external committees and boards relevant to position duties.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation or related discipline.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in recreation administration and facility management. Considered an asset if candidates have previous experience working in a public recreation facility setting.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working in Municipal Government is an asset.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Experience with developing and monitoring operational and capital budgets.
• Sound knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations and risk management.
• Excellent leadership, teambuilding, consensus, and conflict resolution skills.
• Effective time management, strategic planning skills, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Independent decision making, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to present complex issues effectively at all levels in the organization.
• Sound knowledge of Recreation service delivery, with experience managing community recreation and programming services for all ages.
• Knowledge of financial principles, including operational and capital budgeting.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office applications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327| E: sandy.jacobson@richardsonsearch.ca | www.richardsonsearch.ca